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Aug. 8, 2010 1:04 p.m. mblommel Reader

I'm looking for some replacement tires for my wife's '05 MINI Cooper. Even though the car is a base model with 15 inchers that have pretty good sized sidewalls it still is a MINI so the handling is decent. I don't want ruin it with crap tires.The stock tires were Continental 175/65/15's. I'm looking for a better replacement. It's kind of an oddball size some I'm also considering 185/60/15's and195/60/15's.

Now, before there are 17 posts saying "AZENIS!" or "TOYO R1!" please keep in mind I'm looking for longer wearing, quiet tires that still offer decent grip and reasonably stiff sidewalls. We do live in Orlando, Fl so all-season isn't a major concern, but wet traction is. I don't mind spending some money on these tires, but don't want to waste it on simply buying the most expensive thing Tire Rack has available (which is Michelin).

Thanks!
Aug. 8, 2010 1:17 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

so.. orlando.. so you are going to see a LOT of rain and a few chilly days in winter.. unless you go north?
Aug. 8, 2010 1:18 p.m. amg_rx7 HalfDork

I just got these Potenza RE760 Sport for my Mini Cooper S. I like them a lot. Fun tire to drive. Very quiet. Good in the rain. Good in the dry. http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Bridgestone&tireModel=Potenza...

Another option that I've read about is the Bridgestone Potenza G 019 Grid.

I ran the Kumho SPT (non run flat) on the Mini before the Bridgestones and really liked those tires as well. Sidewalls weren't as stiff as the Bridgestones but still a nice grippy tire that was good in the rain and communicated well overall. I got 30k miles out of these. I thought I read that Kumho recently released the replacement to the SPT but I don't see them anywhere.

Alex at tirerack is the official Mini tire expert. Talk to him.
Aug. 8, 2010 1:27 p.m. 4cylndrfury SuperDork

If you can live with 195/55/15s, Id suggest BF-Goodrich G-force sports. They do ok in the rain, and are GREAT dry.
Aug. 8, 2010 1:28 p.m. neckromacr New Reader

I keep a set of 175/65/15' in my store's warehouse for single tire blow out customers, but if they're looking for any multiple of tires I suggest 185/60/15.

Yokohama Avid TRZ's fit most of the criteria that you're looking for. Most tires in that size aren't real sporting the sidewall department, but great traction and life.

195/60's are getting a bit tall, but could work but would look balloonish. If you want 195's use a 55 series and wouldd get more sporting.

Michelin PE2's and Yokohama S.Drivers are good summer choices that amp up the wet traction and input, but lower life is to be expected. I like the PE2's better personally.

Kumho Ecsta ASX are an old GRM forum favorite, jack of all trades on price ride like and good input.

BFG G-Force Super Sports come highly recommended from my service manager, they're a much improved version of the regular G-Force Sports (I haz em, they're just ok)

Yokohama has the update to their V4S's in the Avid ENVigors, which look promising iin all your respects, but not so much personal insight from me, just too new.
Aug. 8, 2010 4:16 p.m. minimac SuperDork

I'm probably in the minority here, but I went for a set of Falken Ziex 512s(215/60/15) on my 733. They are wearing well(like iron!), ride nice, not much road noise, and the handling and grip is more than adequate for my spirited driving in a big sedan. They were only like $60 shipped from Discount Tire. I'm very pleased with the performance of these. Definitely much better than the reviews I read.
Aug. 8, 2010 4:53 p.m. spritedriver28 New Reader

I too went cheap for my 06 "S" and got Federal RS595 through wheelmax.com . They don't wear super well (with me driving pretty hard and the occasional autoX), but traction is good even in wet. They are non run flats and in my case are 17".
Aug. 8, 2010 5:00 p.m. MCarp22 Reader

neckromacr wrote: Yokohama has the update to their V4S's in the Avid ENVigors, which look promising iin all your respects, but not so much personal insight from me, just too new.

My sister in law got the first set in ohio after she got a flat in one of her V4s. Fabulous tire, they drive really nicely.
Aug. 8, 2010 5:03 p.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

Kumho ASX.
Aug. 8, 2010 5:58 p.m. mblommel Reader

Thanks for the replies

for the record looks like: Potenza RE760, Kumho ASX, and Kumho SPT all = no 15 inch

I stand corrected. Tire rack has the ASX in a 195/55/15.
Aug. 8, 2010 6:05 p.m. 93celicaGT2 SuperDork

Go ahead and get it, you won't be disappointed.
Aug. 8, 2010 6:20 p.m. wlkelley3 HalfDork

spritedriver28 wrote:

I too went cheap for my 06 "S" and got Federal RS595 through wheelmax.com . They don't wear super well (with me driving pretty hard and the occasional autoX), but traction is good even in wet. They are non run flats and in my case are 17".

Saw those on a website and was wondering about those. So it sounds like barely cut it for us but probably will do well for someone that don't thrash tires the way a lot of us do.

And for the main topic, I vote Falken Ziex also. 512 or 912. Wear well, quiet, good in the rain (unless worn a lot), decent grip on the street but don't really cut it autocrossing amd come in 15".
Aug. 8, 2010 6:47 p.m. fast_eddie_72 New Reader

Sumitomo HTR 200. No question. Sumer high performance tire. 195/60 15 is $59 each. So, you know, yeah. They're outstanding tires for the money. They last pretty well, but even if you wear one out, they're so cheap it makes little difference. I love the things. They are at leaast 9/10s much more expensive tires.
Aug. 8, 2010 6:56 p.m. mblommel Reader

In reply to fast_eddie_72:

I have a set on my X1/9 (in 13 inch size). They're OK. Definitely good for the $$$. Sidewalls aren't all that stiff though. At least they make a half decent tire in a 13 inch size. I'm leaning toward the ASX's. They're only $63/tire.
Aug. 8, 2010 7:04 p.m. irish44j HalfDork

Toyo Proxes 4. Awesome wet grip, good wear, difficult to make them squeal, pretty quiet until they're really worn down, and dirt cheap. I've used them on Accords, Integras, and my Maxima (3 times), and even autocrossed them a few times (though they will wear fast doing that).

I have HTR200s on my Triumph GT6. They're pretty good, but the only reason I got them was due to limited size availability for 14" wheels.
Aug. 8, 2010 7:26 p.m. mblommel Reader

In reply to mad_machine:

Exactly. No need for Blizzaks.
Aug. 8, 2010 7:43 p.m. pres589 HalfDork

In reply to fast_eddie_72:

Isn't the HTR 200 old as mold? I thought those things came out 15 years ago...
Aug. 8, 2010 8:02 p.m. Travis_K Dork

G-force sports are great tires. Kumho ASX is great in the wet, and acceptable in the dry. I cant imagine any reason to get HTR200s in a size that there are better tires available in, but for tiny cars they are fine. I think the G-force sport would be what you want though.
Aug. 8, 2010 8:08 p.m. Sonic Dork

We just put a set of Falken ZE912s on my girlfriend's Mazda3 daily driver. I'm really impressed by them, they are great in the wet, have plenty of stick in the dry, were very reasonably priced, have a 40k mile life projection, and are M&S rated so they will do OK in the cold, though we have a set of dedicated snow tires for the car.

They also won a recent GRM tire test for sporty daily driver type tires
Aug. 8, 2010 8:15 p.m. fastmiata Reader

Hankooks went on my wife's MS6; I dont know the model designation without going outside to look. Decent tire wear rating (240?)but good handling and wet behavoir. Khumos would would be the other choice.
Aug. 8, 2010 9:59 p.m. oldeskewltoy Reader

RE960A/S... I'm running 185/60/14 on my little All-Trac Corolla, so I believe they have them in 15" sizes

I LOVE them... quiet, handle WELL in dry and wet (I live in Portland Or), and so far good on gas mileage, and wear (about 3k miles so far... no decernable wear)
Aug. 8, 2010 10:21 p.m. neon4891 SuperDork

oldeskewltoy wrote:

RE960A/S... I'm running 185/60/14 on my little All-Trac Corolla, so I believe they have them in 15" sizes

I LOVE them... quiet, handle WELL in dry and wet (I live in Portland Or), and so far good on gas mileage, and wear (about 3k miles so far... no decernable wear)

I'm running those in 195/60/14 on my R/T and love them. As far as wear, I dont exspect to get a 3rd season out of them(Apr.-Oct.)

185/65/15 and 195/60/15 available at $79 each
Aug. 8, 2010 10:42 p.m. fast_eddie_72 New Reader

Okay, what I meant to say is I absolutely would NOT get the HTR 200s. Seems others don't like them as much as I do. I just think they do a whole lot of what more expensive tires do for a heck of a price. Oh well. Guess I'm a cheap skate.

I have the G-Force Sports on my MR2. Love 'em. My wife did autocross school on them and one of the instructors commented about the grip being pretty awesome.

Take care,

Ed
Aug. 9, 2010 1:24 a.m. Vigo HalfDork

Sumitomo HTR 200. No question. Sumer high performance tire. 195/60 15 is $59 each. So, you know, yeah. They're outstanding tires for the money. They last pretty well, but even if you wear one out, they're so cheap it makes little difference. I love the things. They are at leaast 9/10s much more expensive tires.

I love the hell out of those things as well and have some on a car right now.

BUT they have floppy sidewalls. That is pertinent info to the OP.

Luckily their max psi is 52 or something like that.

When i used to autocross my dynasty on them id air the fronts up to like 45 psi and they wore even and didnt roll over, so i was happy.

NOT a crisp tire, but honestly probably the best experience ive had with any tire in my life, overall.

Yes they are old, but i will be sad to see them go unless they are replaced with something just as good. Its hard to find the same balance of grip, great ride, no noise, great water control and hydroplaning resistance and long wear in a super cheap tire and comes in all the small sizes.
Aug. 9, 2010 6:40 a.m. Klayfish New Reader

I'll put another vote in for Sumitomos. I've used several sets in the past. I had one set of HRT 200s and they were fine for normal to spirited street driving, and dirt cheap. I also used several sets of HTR-Z models. I used them on low powered cars like an MK1 MR2 and even had a set on the Shelby Cobra replica I used to own. They held up very well for autox and light HPDE duty and street use. Rain traction was so-so, just take it easy and you're fine.

I could be wrong, but I think I had heard that the Sumitomos are old Kumho designs??

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